Hand Dyeing Yarn

Hello friends,

Recently I have been experimenting with hand dyeing yarn. It's lots of fun, you should try it too! :-)

I have been using food dye, yep that's right, just regular old food dye.

I had tried yarn dyeing with food dye several years ago, with varying results, from kind of nice to hideous. Then I found this tutorial on Youtube and it was a much better method than I had previously been using.

I had been seeing lots of gradient dyed yarn around and wondered how folks were doing it... then suddenly it came to me! So this is what I came up with. (I'll add my tutorial of how I did the gradient dyeing soon :-)

So, it's a self striping yarn, in graduating rainbow colours :-) I have no idea what I'm going to knit or crochet with it yet, but I'm sure I'll be able to find something :-)

The yarn is a wool/angora/bamboo/nylon mix that I had hanging around in my stash. I was surprised how well the yarn picked up the dye, because of the bamboo & nylon content. The yarn is mainly wool & angora though, and through all of my dyeing experiments I know that animal fibres pick up the food dyes really well & plant fibres and synthetic fibres do not pick up the food dyes at all (well maybe a teensy bit, but nothing worth the effort :-)

Below is an image of what the yarn looked like before I wound it into a ball with my nostepinne. I know, I know, it looks all scary and knotty... but it wasn't (phew!) However, after hand winding approx 1km of yarn after my dyeing experiments I ordered an umbrella swift and yarn winder online (yippee!)

Also, I just wanted to add that a few people have been concerned that the food dyes are not colour fast and will just wash out, or bleed unpleasantly, but the vinegar and heat help to fix the dyes. I have also tested the food dyed yarns for colour fastness and they have all held up really well, even after washing in the machine and/or soaking :-)

Just in case you were wondering, for the colours in this particular yarn I used Queens food dye that I got in the baking section of the supermarket, except for the violet colour, which is a gel food colour from Spotlight, but it's also available at specialty cake decorating shops :-) Also, here's a tip, you can't use the "natural" food dyes from Queens... the colours are made using plant extracts, and while they are excellent to use when you're actually dyeing food, they don't work for dyeing yarn :-)

Ridged Beanie Pattern

Ridged Beanie Pattern

I have had many requests for this pattern, so I thought I better write it up and add it to my collection here on the blog. This is the first of my patterns in the "Pattern a Month" challenge I have set myself for 2012.

At first the pattern may seem a little complicated, however with a little patience and persistence you will soon have the hang of all the stitches and will be able to whip one of these beanies up in an evening :-)

At times the pattern may also seem a little bit "wordy", this is done for people who are new to following patterns, so that everything is explained thoroughly :-)

They're great for last minute gifts and perfect for making for charity :-)

Skill Level: Adventurous Beginner to Intermediate. Knowledge of front post treble (front post double crochet), front post double treble (front post treble), front post half treble ( front post half double crochet) & back post half treble ( back post half double crochet) is required to complete this pattern (there are a lot of really great tutorials on the internet that will help you learn how to do these stitches if you're not already familiar with them :-)

Sizes: Child 48cm (Woman 56-58cm, Man 60-63cm)

Materials: 4.5mm hook

Dk or 8 ply yarn, 120m (140m, 160m) of yarn required. This amount is approximate.

Sewing Needle

Scissors

Gauge: 16tr (dc) per 10cm (4"). If you have more stitches you should use a larger hook, if you have less stitches you should use a smaller hook :-)

Abbreviations (British/Australian crochet terms used throughout, with U.S. terms in parenthesis in chart below):

ch = chain

st or sts = stitch or stitches

sl st = slip stitch

dc (sc) = double crochet (single crochet)

tr (dc) = treble (double crochet)

fphtr (fphdc) = front post half treble (front post half double crochet)

fpdtr (fptr) = front post double treble (front post treble)

bphtr = back post half treble (back post half double crochet)

sfpdtr (sfptr) = special front post double treble (special front post treble)

Special stitches:

Special Front Post Double Treble (sfpdtr) or if using U.S. crochet terms: Special Front Post Treble (sfptr):

yo, insert hook into next st, yo, pull loop through (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops, yo twice, insert hook around fpdtr (fptr) from previous round, yo, draw loop through (5 loops on hook), yo, draw through 2 loops, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, draw loop through last 3 sts on hook. Sfpdtr (sfptr) is complete.

Pattern:

All Sizes:

ch 4, join with sl st into first ch to form loop.

Round 1: ch 3 (to count as 1 tr (dc) here & through out pattern), 11 tr (dc) into ring, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beginning of round. (12 sts)

Round 2: ch 3, fpdtr (fptr) around tr (dc) from previous round that is directly below ch 3, *tr (dc) in next st, fpdtr (fptr) around tr from previous round that is below st just worked, repeat from * to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beginning of round. (24 sts)

Round 3: ch 3, 1tr (dc) in next st, fpdtr (fptr) around fpdtr (fptr) from previous round that is directly below st just worked, *1tr (dc) in each of the next 2 sts, fpdtr (fptr) around fpdtr (fptr) from previous round that is below st just worked, repeat from * to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beginning of round. (36 sts)

Round 4: ch 3, 1tr (dc) in each of next 2 sts, fpdtr (fptr) around fpdtr (fptr) from previous round that is directly below st just worked, *1tr (dc) in each of the next 3 sts, fpdtr (fptr) around fpdtr (fptr) from previous round that is below st just worked, repeat from * to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beginning of round. (48 sts)

Round 5: ch 3, 1tr (dc) in each of next 3 sts, fpdtr (fptr) around fpdtr (fptr) from previous round that is directly below st just worked, *1tr (dc) in each of the next 4 sts, fpdtr (fptr) around fpdtr (fptr) from previous round that is below st just worked, repeat from * to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beginning of round. (60 sts)

For Child's size ONLY:

Rounds 6-13: ch 3, 1tr (dc) in each of the next 3 sts, sfpdtr (sfptr) in next st & fpdtr (fptr) from previous round, *1 tr in each of the next 4 sts, sfpdtr (sfptr) in next st & fpdtr (fptr), repeat from * to end, join with sl st in 3rd ch at beginning of round.

Rounds 14-15: ch 2, fphtr (fphdc) around next 2 sts, bphtr (bphdc) around next st, fphtr (fphdc) around "front post" of sfpdtr (sfptr) from previous round only, *bphtr (bphdc) around next st, fphtr (fphdc) around next 2 sts, bphtr (bphdc) around next st, fphtr (fphdc) around "front post" of sfpdtr (sfptr) of previous round only, repeat from * to end, join with sl st in 2nd ch at beginning of round.

Fasten off, weave in ends. Finished!

For Womens & Mens sizes ONLY:

Round 6: ch 3, 1tr (dc) in each of next 4 sts, fpdtr (fptr) around fpdtr (fptr) from previous round that is directly below st just worked, *1tr (dc) in each of the next 5 sts, fpdtr (fptr) around fpdtr (fptr) from previous round that is below st just worked, repeat from * to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beginning of round. (72 sts)

Womens Size ONLY:

Rounds 7-15: ch 3, 1tr (dc) in each of the next 4 sts, sfpdtr (sfptr) in next st & fpdtr (fptr) from previous round, *1 tr in each of the next 5 sts, sfpdtr (sfptr) in next st & fpdtr (fptr), repeat from * to end, join with sl st in 3rd ch at beginning of round.

Rounds 16-17: ch 2, [fphtr (fphdc) around next st, bphtr (bphdc) around next st] twice, fphtr (fphdc) around "front post" of sfpdtr (sfptr) from previous round only, *bphtr (bphdc) around next st, [fphtr (fphdc) around next st, bphtr (bphdc) around next st] twice, fphtr (fphdc) around "front post" of sfpdtr (sfptr) of previous round only, repeat from * to end, join with sl st in 2nd ch at beginning of round.

Fasten off, weave in ends. Finished!

For Mens size ONLY:

Round 7: ch 3, 1tr (dc) in each of next 5 sts, fpdtr (fptr) around fpdtr (fptr) from previous round that is directly below st just worked, *1tr (dc) in each of the next 6 sts, fpdtr (fptr) around fpdtr (fptr) from previous round that is below st just worked, repeat from * to end, join with a sl st into 3rd ch at beginning of round. (84 sts)

Rounds 8-16: ch 3, 1tr (dc) in each of the next 5 sts, sfpdtr (sfptr) in next st & fpdtr (fptr) from previous round, *1 tr in each of the next 6 sts, sfpdtr (sfptr) in next st & fpdtr (fptr), repeat from * to end, join with sl st in 3rd ch at beginning of round.

Rounds 17-18: ch 2, bphtr (bphdc) around next st, fphtr (fphdc) around next 2 sts, bphtr (bphdc) around next 2 sts, fphtr (fphdc) around "front post" of sfpdtr (sfptr) from previous round only, *bphtr (bphdc) around next 2 sts, fphtr (fphdc) around next 2 sts, bphtr (bphdc) around next 2 sts, fphtr (fphdc) around "front post" of sfpdtr (sfptr) of previous round only, repeat from * to end, join with sl st in 2nd ch at beginning of round.

Fasten off, weave in ends. Finished!

In the pictures above, the orange coloured beanie is a womens size, and the chocolate coloured beanie is a mens size and is being worn as a slouch style hat :-)

If you have any questions, queries, need assistance to complete your beanie or find an error, please don't hesitate to leave a comment and I'll gladly help where I can :-)

Copyright is held by the author (SharaLambethDesigns). Copyright remains that of the author at all times. The pattern is for personal use only. Reproduction of this pattern in anyway (electronic, email, photocopying, transcribing etc) is strictly prohibited, except with the explicit permission of the author. Please do not sell the pattern or the finished product that is made using this pattern without permission of the author, as this is a direct infringement of the copyright laws protecting this pattern.

If you do want to sell the beanies you make using this pattern at a market, craft fair or in your online store please do ask, as in most cases I will give permission :-)

And please feel free to make as many beanies as you can to donate to your local charities.

Hello 2012

Hello friends :-)

I hope your festive season was relaxing and full of pleasant surprises :-)

I'm about to head off for a camping trip with my 8 year old nephew at Wilsons Promontory for a week or so, which I'm really looking forward to. I hope the weather is kind to us!!

I hope to be doing some well earned relaxing while I'm there. Wandering around in the forest, floating around in the ocean, and not a lot else :-)

When I return from my little holiday I'll be adding some new knitting and crochet patterns!! Yes, that's right!

I've been working on a few new designs over the last couple of months, for various fingerless glove designs, gloves with fingers, kids tops, kids shorts, jewellery, toys, scarves, shawls/wraps, cowls, hats & even a ladies cardigan!

I had this crazy idea that I would try and write at least one new pattern every month this year. I'm not sure how I'll go, but I'm going to try my best and hopefully there will be a lot of fun things to make here on my blog :-)

Take care and I'll be back with a bunch of fun, new things in a few weeks :-)

Xmas Design POP is Nearly Here!

Well, we've all be very busy making lots of pretty things for the Xmas Design Pop, so if you're going to be in Melbourne on 8th, 9th, or 10th of December you really ought to come along and visit the Xmas Design Pop in the Nicholas Building on the corner of Swanston St & Flinders Lane!

I will have my laser cut brooches, earrings & necklaces, along with my crochet jewellery too!
Lots of new pieces will have their debut at the Xmas Design Pop, so you can be the first to get your hands on them.
You will also be able to find Rebecca Argent Millinery, Dawn Tan, Little Circus Design, Emily Green, Monolog, Kick & Screen, Able & Game and sweet treats like cupcakes & homemade lemon curd (my favourite)!
We're all looking forward to seeing you there!! :-)

Xmas Design POP!

Yes, we're doing it again! We're having another Pop Up Shop in the Nicholas Building in Melbourne.

It's going to be running for 3 days, Thursday 8th December, Friday 9th December & Saturday 10th December. So come along to the Nicholas Building, Level Two, cnr Swanston St & Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD

Here are some of the items you'll be able to find at my stall :-)

Playing with Patterns

I've been playing around, updating my blog and now you can find my free patterns easily along the right hand side panel of my blog. Making things easier makes me happy :-)

I would love to see this succeed! :-)